Adding custom closet features improves organization and helps keep a narrow space from feeling too constricting.

I’ve always believed that the closet should be one of the most important elements in the design process when a new home or condo is developed. And yet, the more condos and apartments I walk into, the more I find they’re being designed in a way that leaves only a very narrow closet space for clothing storage.

Having limited closet space isn’t as difficult to work with as you’d think, however. In fact, narrow spaces are excellent opportunities to install wardrobe units next to each other to create space for properly storing your clothing and accessories. We often think of wardrobe units as separate closet pieces. In narrow spaces where you’re left with a “hallway” type setup, however, wardrobe units that run parallel on either side of the corridor can actually give you more flexibility for organizing the space.

Consider Your Purpose

The great thing about having multiple wardrobe units next to (and across from!) each other is that it allows you the flexibility of creating mini closet sections in your space. So, rather than having one large closet space (which can be somewhat of a challenge to clean and organize), you can have multiple individual spaces, each of which you can then assign its own specific purpose.

Whether it’s creating categories by function (such as work, casual, active wear, and cocktail/evening wear) or by clothing type (such as knits, tops, bottoms, and dresses), creating—and sticking to—clear designations of what will be stored in each space is the key to efficient organization. No more wondering where your favorite tie or lucky socks went; knowing just where to look makes getting ready in the morning quick, simple, and stress-free.

A Flexible Wardrobe System Is Your Friend

Most people don’t realize it, but our wardrobe units are adjustable just like our closet systems are. Though it may require making a few alterations to the shelving and rods within each wardrobe to reach an optimal state of organization, the flexibility of our systems makes these adjustments a breeze.

If, for instance, you decide you’d like to designate one of your wardrobes specifically for knitwear, this may mean you have a hanging rod up top to hang cardigans and other knit items that won’t stretch. Rather than having a second, rather pointless hanging rod below it, you can replace that lower rod with a few shelves that can be adjusted (depending on the height and bulkiness of the sweaters you’re looking to store).

Don’t Forget About Your Door’s Swing Direction

Since each wardrobe unit is being placed side-by-side (and our wardrobe units are built to your specifications), another factor that’s easy to miss but vital to consider in a narrow closet situation is the direction of the swing of the door. Why? As it turns out, your doors can actually add to your closet storage—if they swing open from opposite directions to create a faux “larger” section. This extra space can then be utilized for an area of your closet that might be a little more substantial (shoes, for instance).

If your wardrobe doors do happen to open out in this way, it’s important to create a layout for these wardrobes that will work well (and look good) when both doors are open. This means matching rod and shelving heights across both wardrobe units, when possible, and thinking about the placement of your items from a larger viewpoint. And, since closets of this nature are usually found in hallways, having these types of doors on wardrobe units will not only keep your clothing concealed, but also help to create the illusion of extra room to move in an otherwise narrow hallway by concealing clutter.

While tight closets can seem like a challenging organizational hurdle at first sight, wardrobe units can help you make the most of your space without knocking down walls or sacrificing extra floor space. If you’re looking to make a big change in your tiny closet with a new wardrobe, we’d be happy to help. Contact us today to get started with a free design consultation to begin the process of crafting a custom closet that’s the right fit for you.